With both summer temperatures and utility bills on the rise, many local homeowners can now tap into a new loan program aimed at making it easier to install solar panels and other energy upgrades. The financing initiative, known as PACE, eliminates the upfront costs for many energy- and water-efficiency improvements while reducing the operational expenses of owning a home.

Renovate America’s HERO Program is making these loans available starting this week in the cities of San Diego, El Cajon and Escondido, along with the region’s unincorporated areas. The cities of Carlsbad, Lemon Grove, Oceanside, San Marcos, Solana Beach and Vista launched earlier in 2014 and have funded nearly $5 million in energy-saving projects. PACE loans offered by HERO and other lenders allow homeowners to repay the debt through property tax assessments.

WHAT: News Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, July 9, 12:15 p.m.

WHERE: County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego; On the west steps outside the building, near Harbor Drive